USC baseball opens five-game homestand with victory over LMU

USC’s offense exploded for eleven runs on Tuesday night, as all nine starters for the Trojans recorded a hit in their 11-9 victory over Loyola Marymount.

USC welcomed the Lions to Dedeaux Field after a riveting series win against Pac-12 opponent Utah. The recent tear from the Trojans — winners of seven of their last nine — puts USC and first-year head coach Andy Stankiewicz in Baseball America’s College Top 25 rankings for the first time since week four in 2022.

This was the first time USC was ranked in the Top 25 after week five since 2015 when the Trojans made NCAA regionals.

Junior pitcher Jaden Agassi was on the bump for the Trojans as they looked to win the first game of their upcoming five-game homestand. After getting roughed up early, USC found itself in an early 3-0 hole.

The Trojans responded in the second thanks to senior designated hitter Adrian Colon-Rosado’s first longball of the year. Freshman second baseman Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek ripped a two-run double down the line shortly thereafter, tying the game at three.

After exchanging runs, the Trojans entered the fifth trailing 5-4. Senior third baseman Johnny Olmstead got the inning started with a bunt single; implementing small ball to apply pressure on the opposing defense is a common theme for USC’s success this season.

Colon-Rosado immediately followed up Olmstead’s hit with an RBI single. A bloop single from freshman first baseman Ethan Hedges drove in two more, giving the Trojans a 7-5 lead.

USC’s offense poured it on in the sixth when LMU walked the first three Trojan hitters to load the bases for senior right fielder Cole Gabrielson. Gabrielson broke the game open, driving a bases-clearing double down the left-field line. USC scored one more run to lengthen its lead to 11-5.

Freshman reliever Michael Ebner made his collegiate debut for the Trojans in the eighth, retiring the side in order. After allowing a few runs in the top of the ninth, senior Kyle Wisch entered the game for USC, closing the door on the Lions’ comeback bid. Wisch earned his third save of the season as the Trojans defeated LMU 11-9.

USC baseball has now won 12 of its last 15 games, bolstering its record to 17-10-1 on the season.

The Trojans aim to stay hot as they welcome San Diego State at home for a three-game series beginning Thursday night. Senior and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week Tyler Stromsburg will likely take the bump for USC on Thursday as he looks to hurl his fifth straight quality start for the Trojans.